April best bets

Arts and Culture

April best bets

April is filled with big music acts such as Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, Avril Lavigne, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood Bruce Springsteen.

They say April comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but when you're talking about concerts in the ATL, it's the other way around as several big acts close out the month. APRIL 4-6: Atlanta Dogwood Festival features live entertainment, food, an artists' market and children's activities; noon-9 p.m. April 4, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 5, noon-6 p.m. April 6; Lenox Square. Cost: Free. 404-817-6642 or www.dogwood.org

"The Lion King" opens its three-week run Thursday at the Civic Center. With it comes 30 tractor trailers filled with equipment.

APRIL 8: Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z; 7:30 p.m.; Philips Arena. Tickets: $49.75-$150.75; 404-249-6400 or www.philipsarena.com

APRIL 10-13: Atlanta Ballet presents "Big" with Antwan "Big Boi" Patton; 8 p.m. April 10-11, 2 and 8 p.m. April 12, 2 and 7 p.m. April 13; Fox Theatre. Tickets: $25-$125; 404-817-8700 or www.ticketmaster.com

April 12-June 1: Georgia Renaissance FestivalKnights and barmaids alike can frolic like it's the 16th century. The festival is chock-full of Tudor delights, period dress, food and craft demonstrations (think leather crafting.) It runs Saturdays and Sundays through June 1, just 8 miles south of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. http://www.garenfest.com/

APRIL 18: Avril Lavigne; 7 p.m.; Philips Arena. Tickets: $39.50-$54.50; 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com

APRIL 24-25: Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood; 8 p.m.; Gwinnett Arena. Tickets: $49.50-$75; 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com

APRIL 25: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; 7:30 p.m.; Philips Arena. Tickets: $67-$97; 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com

APRIL 25-MAY 4: Yaarab Shrine Circus and Carnival features animals, high-wire acrobats, trapeze performers, motorcycle stunts and clowns; 7:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays (gates open at 5); 1, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (gates open at 10 a.m.) and Sundays (gates open at noon); Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta. Tickets: $10, $5 ages 12 and younger; www.circus2008.org

APRIL 29: Dolly Parton (makeup date from March); 8 p.m.; Fox Theatre. Tickets: $55.50-$100; 404-817-8700 or www.ticketmaster.com

APRIL 30-MAY 1: Bon Jovi; 7:30 p.m.; Philips Arena. Tickets: $49.50-$131.50; 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com

APRIL 30: T-Pain with Nappy Boy Artists Jay Lyriq, Tay Dizm and Sophia Fresh; 8 p.m.; the Tabernacle. Tickets: $32.50; 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com

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They say April comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but when you're talking about concerts in the ATL, it's the other way around as several big acts close out the month. APRIL 4-6: Atlanta Dogwood Festival features live entertainment, food, an artists' market and children's activities; noon-9 p.m. April 4, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 5, noon-6 p.m. April 6; Lenox Square. Cost: Free. 404-817-6642 or www.dogwood.org

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